You're not letting the family down entirely if you're in the middle of trying to get a new job to support them all.

Why couldn't she call her mother if she couldn't reach you? That's just one of the reasons that having two parents is a good idea.

Roommate has been mooning around, reading paper books instead of watching endless episodes of Law & Order/CSI. She was supposed to speak to a bank-type lady on Monday, but hasn't said word one about what happened, not even if she actually spoke to said lady. She did leave the house for a while yesterday.

I don't know if I'd make the situation more fraught if I asked what happened. Her original date to give me the late rent was last Monday. I got some money out of my IRA so I could make the mortgage payment (Xmas driving is very sparse) so I'm a bit miffed.

Yeah, that's no good, Theo. I hope she communicates with you soon, at the very least, and pays up before much longer.

Yeah, that's some understandable being miffed.

Glad your daughter is ok, Gud. Sorry about the car. I wish you were easier on yourself, not being available was not your fault.

Other driver was uninsured. My daughter's insurance does include coverage for uninsured drivers so I hope that helps. Even if it does, it's going to be hard to replace the car. Maybe we can get a old Ford Focus cheap. I know how to fix'em.

On the lighter side, my office is in an UPROAR because a mouse was running around ... it was first spotted by someone who is terrified of mice.

Gud, best wishes for the best possible resolution to your daughter's car woes ... at least she's all right.

Gud, glad your daughter is okay. And you were unavailable when she called for good reason.

Toddson, we've had mice in the office building from time to time. Mouse traps are still set out. And the office comedians sent out a flyer about supplemental Mice Deterrents, namely 3 cats. One of which looks like my Joey, only not overweight.

I've suggested a cat ... but we have people who are allergic, so nope. The mouse (mice? we've had this a few times) seemed to be drawn to the woman who's afraid of them. Building maintenance guys set out traps and we're fine until the next time.

Gud, you were on the phone. Were you supposed to psychically know you needed to not be on the phone?

TCG and I have a signal for when I was pregnant that if I hung up on his voicemail and immediately called back it was an actual emergency. Maybe you could start something like that with your kids? Probably not with your wife though as I have a feeling she would abuse the system.